Aussie stable news from far and wide

CHARLTON harness racing trainer Greg Norman and his loyal band of prominent owners Adam, Ben and Terry Cormack had plenty to cheer about recently.

Speedy five-year-old mare Belladonna Girl (Hes Watching) kicked off her United States racing career with an impressive victory over the mile at the Yonkers Raceway in New York.

Norman prepared Belladonna Girl during most of her racing here for the enthusiastic Adelaide owners—with the horse winning eight races and 14 placings for over $114,000.

Belladonna Girl is now with husband-and-wife duo Shane and Lauren Tritton, who are based at Pine Bush, about 130kms from NY City.

The couple made no secret, virtually from the moment the horse arrived at their stables, that they were thrilled to be given the opportunity to race the mare.

“When she won the Breeders Crown Graduate mares FFA at Melton, she beat some outstanding horses in Techys Angel and Amazing Dream. And that was over the short trip of 1720m,” Tritton said at the time.

“We are more than confident that she will acquit herself well. There’s a lot of races for mares and the purses (stakes) on offer are very good,” he added.

Meanwhile wife Lauren is in red hot form with her race driving with five wins from her last five engagements.

The couple left Australia in early 2020 for the US, saying the sport back home was no longer viable for them.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN driver Gina Bell has been released from hospital after a nasty tumble at Saturday night’s (Nov 5) Globe Derby meeting.

Bell, driving consistent performer Keilah, for Nick Tardio, had crossed to the lead in the first race before galloping in the back straight for the first time.  Other runners avoided trouble, but Bell and fellow SA reinsman Michael A Smith badly locked wheels at the tail of the field, with both dislodged.

Smith was passed fit to drive for the remainder of the program, but Bell spent two nights in hospital as a precaution for internal injuries.

“I am fine, but had internal bleeding, which wasn’t too bad, and bad bruising to my liver and kidneys,” Bell said.

“I’m very sore, but sucking it up!  I could clean some yards this morning, fed a couple of horses lunch and made up some feeds. I’m getting around, but very slowly!

“I was dumbfounded by the people who contacted me to check in on me, and the people who stepped up to help were amazing.  We’re so grateful.”

And despite the setback, it’s no surprise that the determined Bell expects to be back in the sulky as soon as she is able.

“I want to get back to driving – I just love it.  But just taking things very slowly for now!”

BIG shout out goes to the Mildura Harness Racing Club for the hard work and innovation needed to get racing back on their home circuit this week (Nov 8).

The club’s administrative buildings are unusable and will need substantial remedial work after heavy rainfall caused extensive damage during October.

Stewards, camera crews and raceday staff all operated out of temporary premises brought in just so the meeting could go ahead – including racecaller Luke Humphries who was in an open-air scaffold structure alongside the judges (the view from his commentary position is pictured).

“It all went great last night. We had a great crowd, considering, and 99 percent of things ran smoothly – the little one percenters we will work on for next time,” said Mildura club CEO Michelle McGinty.

“Everyone worked in so well, from the Creative Technology team to the HRV personnel, to Pammy (TAB manager Pam Tuohey) in her portable TAB!

“The Hattah Roadhouse caterers set up an alfresco dining area – but in the beautiful conditions we had on the night it was a fantastic atmosphere and it worked really well.”

McGinty and her team will have every opportunity for refinements to perfect the interim arrangements – the busy club has meetings on a weekly basis until well into the New Year.